Catamenial tampon

ABSTRACT

A normally compacted tampon comprised of a laminated structure which embodies a central core of highly compressed absorbent material arranged between outer layers of absorbent material to initially absorb menstrual fluids and expand so as to spread the outer layers.

United States Patent 91 Glassman m, 3,710,793 51- Jan. 16,

154] CATAMENIAL TAMPON [76] lnventor: Jacob A. Glassman, 1680 MeridanAve., Miami Beach, Fla. 33139 22 Filed: May 17,1971

21 Appl. No.: 143,838

RelatedU.S. Application Data [62 Division of Ser. No. 875,903, Nov. 12,1969, Pat. No.

52 u.s.c1 ..128/285 51 int. Cl. ..A6lf 13/20 [58] Field of Search.....128/270, 285

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,932,383 10/1933Richardson ..128/285 Pohl ..128/285 2,057,206 10/1936 2,499,414 3/1950Rabell ..128/285 3,079,921 3/1963 Brecht et a1. ..128/285 3,340,8749/1967 Burgeni ..128/285 3,491,758 l/1970 Mullan ..128/285 3,572,3413/1971 Glassman ..128/285 3,618,605 11/1971 Glassrnan .128/285 11/1971Grad et'al ..128/285 Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum AttorneyElmerL. Zwickel [57] ABSTRACT.

A normally compacted tampon comprised of alaminated structure whichembodies a central core of highly compressed absorbent material arrangedbetween outer layers of absorbent material to initially absorb menstrualfluids and expand so as to spread the outer layers.

6 Claims, Drawing Figures CATAMENIAL TAMPON This application is adivision of my co-pending application Ser. No. 875, 903, filed Nov.12,1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,618,605.

The invention relates to improvements in catamenial tampons and is moreparticularly concerned with a critical arrangement of highly absorptivelayers of material which, when compressed into tampon form and placed inuse, will allow menstrual flow to be directed initially into theinterior of the tampon, leaving the exterior surface substantially dryuntil the very end of its useful life. This tampon is characterized bythe presence therein of a novel normally compressed expansible fluidabsorbent body or core to insure maximum total expansion of its layersof fluid absorbent material. It also includes within its mass a layer ofdeodorant or hygienic medicinal impregnated gauze and a flow controllayer of moisture impervious material which is perforated to allow forthe controlled passage of waste fluids therethrough.

The tampon disclosed herein embodies a pair of layers of highly moistureabsorbent material, such as cotton, having a normally highly compressedcore of absorbent material, also cotton, disposed. between them.Stitching may secure the core and the layers together along a centerline so that the assembly can be compacted, prior to use, into atampon-like shape. When the tampon is placed within the vaginal passagemenstrual fluids are initially absorbed by the core which expandsdynamically to effectively spread the layers and effectively fill thevaginal passage. Such dynamic expansion of the core is insured byarranging a layer of moisture impervious material between the core andthe layers to insure that all initial fluid flow enters the compressedcore.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improvedcatamenial tampon.

Another object is to provide a catamenial tampon with an innermostnormally compressed highly expansible core of fluid absorbent material.

Another object is to provide a tampon structure which possesses maximumabsorptive properties and so constructed as to direct menstrual fluidsinitially into the interior thereof.

Another object is to provide a tampon of the character referred to witha highly absorptive normally compressed center core and highly absorbentnoncompressed outer layers with a moisture flow retardantshield betweenthe core and said layers.

Another object is to provide a catamenial tampon of the characterreferred to which is not expensive or difficult to manufacture, andwhich is very effective in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent withreference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the tampon compacted and enclosed in anapplicator tube, the latter being shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tampon before it is compacted forinsertion into the applicator tube.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing thetamponexpanded following absorption of menstrual fluids by the core while inplace in a vaginal passage.

Referring to the exemplary form of tampon illustrated-in theaccompanying drawings, the tampon 11 is fabricated from a substantiallysquare laminated mass having a longitudinal row of securing stitches 12which terminate in a pull string 13. The tampon 11 is comprised of outerlayers 14 of non-compressed cotton fibers each having on its inside facea layer of deodorant-impregnated gauze 15 overlaid with a sheet ofmoisture impervious material 16. Arranged between the opposed faces ofsheet material 16 is a normally highly compressed wad or core ofmoisture absorbent material 17, such as compressed cotton fibers. Theimpervious sheets 16 preferably are perforated, as at 16a, for a purposeto be explained presently. Preferably, the moisture impervious sheet 16is less in width than the outer-layers 14, and the core 17 is less inwidth than the said sheet. The tampon is conventially compacted into anapplicator tube 18.

When the tampon is withdrawn from the tube 18 and fitted into a vaginalpassage, and menstrual fluids are being absorbed thereby, there issubstantial initial absorption by the centrally located compact core 17.When the core becomes saturated there will be some restricted fluid flowoutwardly through the perforations 16a in sheets 16. The initialsaturation by compressed core 17 causes said core to expand dynamicallythus spreading the overlying outer layers 14, substantially in themanner shown in FIG. 3, so as to substantially fill the vaginal passage.Subsequentdischarge of menstrual fluids will result in said fluids thanbeing readily absorbed by the outer absorbent layers 14 instead ofbypassing the tampon. This structure thus insures maximum absorption-offluids by the tampon and extra safety by avoiding any prematurespill-over or flow through, soiling the under clothing.

It should be evident that applicant has disclosed a tampon that hasmaximum initial attraction for collecting waste fluids into its interiorregion and which retards fluid absorption into its outer regions tothereby provide maximum external dryness and protection with nostrike-through or spillage prior to total saturation by the entiretampon. In this manner the useful life of the tampon is prolongedwithout discomfort, premature feeling of wetness, or actual wetting ofundergarments.

I claim:

1. A tampon of the character described comprising an elongated generallycylindrical body made upof substantially rectangular outer layers ofsoft, highly fluid absorbent material, a substantially rectangular massof fluid absorbent fibrous material in a state of high compressionarranged between said layers, and means securing said layers and masstogether substantially along their longitudinal center, the constructionbeing such that when the assembly is compacted into its cylindricalbodyform the mass is enclosed within the outer layers in such mannerthat upon being wetted the mass will expand and in so doing will spreadthe outer layers in their non-secured areas.

2. The tampon recited in claim 1, in which the outer I 5. The tamponrecited in claim 4, in which a layer of medication impregnated gauzelies between each layer of moisture resistant material and its relatedouter layer.

6. The tampon recited in claim 1, intwhich' the outer 5 layers and themass are substantially rectangular and are secured together centrally bystitches.

2. The tampon recited in claim 1, in which the outer layers are ofgreater width than the mass.
 3. The tampon recited in claim 1, in whicha layer of moisture resistant material is arranged between the mass andeach layer.
 4. The tampon recited in claim 1, in which a perforatedlayer of moisture resistant material is arranged between the mass andeach layer.
 5. The tampon recited in claim 4, in which a layer ofmedication impregnated gauze lies between each layer of moistureresistant material and its related outer layer.
 6. The tampon recited inclaim 1, in which the outer layers and the mass are substantiallyrectangular and are secured together centrally by stitches.